perhaps the most brilliant. Although he had held his commission for three
years he had only been arrested twice by the Provost-Marshal--the first
time for wearing a soft cap when, as an officer and gentleman, he
should have worn a hard one, and the second time, three months later, for
wearing a hard cap when, as an officer and gentleman, he should have worn
a soft one. Nobody can deny that these were serious blots on his career,
but it was felt in the trenches that his skill with the rifle partially
atoned for them.

"Ah, Smith, my boy," said the Major genially, "I just wanted to know the
address of your tailor. Wonderfully well-cut tunic this of yours." He
went over to him and, under pretence of examining the cut of his tunic,
dropped the envelope cautiously into one of the pockets.

Somewhat surprised at the compliment paid to his tailor, but entirely
unsuspicious, Lord Smith gave him the required address.

"Thanks," said the Major. "By the way, I've got to go out now; would you
mind waiting here till the Colonel comes back? He has left an extremely
important document on his table and I do not like to leave the room
unoccupied."

"Certainly, sir," said Lord Smith.

Left alone, our hero gave himself up to thought. For some reason he
distrusted the Major; he felt that they were rivals for the hand of
Rosamund Blowhard. On ten Sundays in succession he had been forced to
attend Church Parade, what time the Major and Rosamund were disporting
themselves on the golf links. It was only on Saturday afternoons that he
had a chance of seeing her alone, and yet he felt somehow that she loved
him.

"Ah, Smith, my boy," said the Colonel as he bustled in. "Always glad to
see you. My favourite subaltern," he went on, with his hand on the young
man's shoulder; "the best officer who ever formed a four at bridge--I
mean, who ever formed fours; and a holder of no fewer than three musketry
certificates."

Lord Smith smiled modestly.

"There, I must get on with my work," went on the Colonel, sitting down
at his table and turning over his papers. "You find me very--you find
me--you find--good Heavens!"

"What is it, sir?"

"I _don't_ find it--I've lost it; the secret document!"

"Was it very important, sir?"

"Important!" cried the Colonel. "If Hindenburg--but we must get to work.
Summon the guard, blow the fire-alarm, send for the Orderly Sergeant."

In less than a minute the room was full of armed men, including the
Maj